Tag Archives: World War II

Approximately 2 million Americans served their country, and the world, during World War II. Europe is free today, in part, because of the selfless sacrifices of ordinary Americans asked to do extraordinary things. Among them was Jim Sawicki who served in the United States Army and fought with the “Red Bulls” at Anzio during the Battle of the Bulge. Speaking of his experience during the war, Jim stated, “It was my great adventure.” It was Jim Sawicki, who lived less than a mile from the future home of the Americans in Wartime Museum in Dale City, VA, who inspired the Voices of Freedom Project. Our mission is to capture and … Continue reading →

NMAW will be bringing a World War 2 Dodge Weapons Carrier to the Mission BBQ in Chantilly, VA. on Veterans day. We will be set up from 10am until after 2pm. Please drop by to say “Hi” and support this great business that does so much for our veterans. > Chantilly, VA Chantilly, VA 13067 Lee Jackson Mem. Hwy. Fairfax, VA 22033 Directions 571-325-0975 Restaurant 703-495-2746 Catering

Thinking about the 4th of July…………..AFTER It is now several weeks since the 4th of July; the grills are once again cool, the fireworks have exploded and America’s celebration of her Birthday has come and gone. I thought about this because my Birthday is coming up in a few days and it caused me to think about what I saw and did on the 4th. My lovely bride and I braved the heat to attend the National Parade down Constitution Avenue. Having never attended previously, I did not know what to expect. But all along the march route were thousands of eager faces, young and old. Many waving American flags. … Continue reading →

The VFW conducted its first poppy distribution before Memorial Day in 1922, becoming the first veterans’ organization to organize a nationwide distribution. The poppy soon was adopted as the official memorial flower of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.It was during the 1923 encampment that the VFW decided that VFW Buddy Poppies be assembled by disabled and needy veterans who would be paid for their work to provide them with some form of financial assistance. The plan was formally adopted during the VFW’s 1923 encampment. The next year, disabled veterans at the Buddy Poppy factory in Pittsburgh assembled VFW Buddy Poppies. The designation “Buddy Poppy” was adopted … Continue reading →

As another year comes to a close, I wanted to thank all the volunteers that have made it possible for us to put on another open house. It is their tireless dedication to the collection, museum and all those who have served and continue to serve that make it possible to bring NMAW to the public. As the operations manager of Virginia Museum of Military Vehicles I have the honor to work alongside this dedicated group of people on a daily basis and have the utmost respect for their dedication and positive attitude. We have now winterized the collection and have moved all our work inside the shops for the … Continue reading →

WHAM!!! WHAM!!! A Perspective on being a Sherman Tank Gunner at the Americans in Wartime Museum Open House I recently had the honor and privilege to serve as the Gunner on our M4A1 Sherman Tank during the 2016 Open House. The experience was so incredible I thought I would share the sights and sounds of what it was like. Preparation started well before the Open House. We carefully carried the un-charged (but primed) rounds out to the Sherman to make sure each would fit into the cannon’s breech. Museum staff then made arrangements to have blank 75mm rounds charged with powder under controlled conditions. After the powder was carefully measured … Continue reading →

Here are some pictures of our M10 Ammunition Trailer, before and after. We have been working on it for the last couple of months and just completed it, the cover is NOS and makes it look as original. The M10 trailer weighs about 2000 lbs and loaded can weigh about 5000 lbs. it would have been towed behind a M7, M10, CCKW and other vehicles. Remember this and other restored vehicles can be seen at open house on September 24 & 25. John S.

As we think back on the Independence Day Holiday… One of the founding principles of the Americans in Wartime Museum is its vision to not only honor the brave men and women in uniform who served our country, but to demonstrate via the museum the sacrifices made by ALL Americans at various parts of our history. Because during the War of Independence fought on our soil, civilians were in the line of fire. The very first shots fired at Lexington and Concord were basically from civilians. And civilians were in the line of fire throughout our military operations. But most importantly, the folks on the home front also made … Continue reading →

Planned Museum Preserves Veterans Memories of War From the Washington Post By Jonathan Hunley Maybe she’ll talk about the 200 to 300 patients she saw each day. Or where she was when she heard about Pearl Harbor. Perhaps she will share what it was like to leave West Virginia when she was in her 20s, to serve abroad. Regardless of the details, Elizabeth Lewis, who was an Army surgical nurse during World War II, is scheduled to give a speech Monday, as she usually does on Memorial Day. This one will be at the retirement community where she lives in Manassas. Read More